We have a phone appointment with an overseas rescue :)

[CloseYourEyesAndSee]

I'm very excited!
it's a reputable rescue - I have a friend who has adopted through them and now volunteers for them. DS has wanted a dog forever but I WOH so couldn't. DP has semi moved in and he also wants a dog so a dog we are getting :)
DP has had dogs and I have when I was a child and teen. I have a cat so that's something that will need to be managed. DP is self employed and his office is close to fields so he will walk the dog during breaks.
I will be asking for lots of advice here I'm sure but for now does anyone have anything they think I need to think about??

Semi moved in? That doesn’t sound like you’re ready for the commitment of a dog TBH. Plus if you both work that could make settling in a rescue hard.
I honestly wouldn’t be getting a rescue from abroad with a cat. You can’t guarantee it’s been properly cat tested.
Sorry to be so negative but taking on a dog is a big commitment. You need the time and to be prepared for any issues that may come up.

It sounds a bit rushed. Why hasn't DP properly moved in yet?

Lots of overseas rescues have never been cat-tested and have incredibly high prey drives, so that's something you really do need to consider. Can you definitely keep them separate and keep the cat safe?

If DP has an office somewhere and you WOH, who will look after the dog during the day, or am I mis-reading and it can go to work with DP?

Why overseas?

Be careful. Lots of overseas rescues are street dogs and struggle to live in a house.

Also check if they have a returns policy if things don’t work out.

He's not moving in properly, we don't want to. He's here 5 nights a week, spends 2 nights in his place. He works self employed and has an office - he will take the dog to the office and take several breaks during the day to walk and play with a dog. Just because he's not here 24/7 doesn't mean we aren't committed! He sets his own hours and will settle the dog. I WFH 2/3 days per week too if he wasn't well or whatever.

Overseas rescue because I have found no local ones that will home a dog to us with a cat and a teenager 🤷🏼‍♀️ the dogs are fostered where they are behaviour trained and assessed and we would obviously only get a dog which was cat tested!

An overseas rescue is much less likely to settle in his home and yours and an office too. If he’s not moving in properly then I don’t think you’re in a place to get a dog right now.

Overseas rescue because I have found no local ones that will home a dog to us with a cat and a teenager 🤷🏼‍♀️ the dogs are fostered where they are behaviour trained and assessed and we would obviously only get a dog which was cat tested!

Just be aware - I'm a dog walker and a client of mine re-homed an overseas dog that was "cat tested" - he 100% had never lived with a cat in his lie. They're almost two years in and still have to separate them completely as the new dog will just chase the poor cat and pin her to the floor.

In a sea of everyone recommending rescues ... have you considered a puppy from a reputable breeder?

My ex street dog is great with cats, has settled well and is a perfect pet. Ignore the worriers but do your research as they are more doggy and independent-minded than pampered uk breeds and do need slightly more considered training. More instinctive but also loyal (grateful) and intelligent. We just lost one other (had 2) and will be getting another as soon as we feel able/finish grieving.

Just want to give you a good news overseas rescue story. This is our girl from Romania. We had some fairly scary health issues - which would not happen now with the centre we used because they are doing better screening - and she does not really understand the concept of play, with us or other dogs. But she is so well- behaved, fantastic recall and now she is settled, really affectionate.

Good luck with your new arrival.

The dog will live here at my place
partner will take the dog to work with him Monday to Friday where he will be with him the whole time and getting lots of walks in the country
we will see videos and photos of the dog in their foster family. If they have a cat we will see it.

we don't want a puppy.

Thank you!
I know quite a few people who have rescues from overseas and nobody has had a bad time.

Beautiful! Thanks for your experience. I don't see why we won't be able to care for the right dog. We aren't going to rush, they have to be the right match.

Just wanted to give a positive rescue from abroad slant…

We aquired our Spanish boy at the age of 6 months 2 years ago and he is the most fabulous addition to our family.

The rescue he came from are incredibly transparent and state if the dog is cat tested or not. Ours is predominantly podenco so cats are an absolute no no. However, many of the pups are fostered in homes where they also foster cats so they have a clear idea if a dog is suitable to be homed with cats.

Our boy has a high prey drive so we do have to be careful on walks. Unfortunately, he was attacked by another dog at around 9 months and can be reactive on a lead or around larger dogs- Is this because of the attack or because he’s a foreign rescue? We’ll never know.

He is an absolute joy to have around and his very favourite person is our 11 year old.

If you go ahead of course you will face some hurdles but in my personal experience, it’s worth it.

Good luck 🍀

There is a lot of prejudice on Mumsnet about overseas rescues. Do your research, just as you should with a UK rescue or UK breeder.

We have the most lovely, straightforward dog from an overseas rescue. Affectionate, playful, friendly but not over friendly with new people and other dogs. The perfect dog for us, and is much loved in our local park by various dog owners and non dog owners.

We have met many lovely dogs who have come from overseas rescues, with no behavioural problems.

Some rescues/breeders, wherever they are based, will be honest with you, others won't.

So, ask questions, follow up references. The same as you should for a breeder or UK rescue.

My daughter in law also has an over seas rescue

Cost an absolute fortune - lovely dog but definitely has some neurological issues

Cannot run in a straight line , no co ordination on stairs or hills
Vet says not in pain and just let him have his time

I'd wait for RSPCA or similar for a suitable dog , we have plenty here needing a home

I have an overseas rescue as I couldn’t find anywhere here that would let me adopt a dog with a child under 10 in the home. We adopted her at 6 months, and she has a wonderful temperament, has been straightforward to train and health wise has been resilient so far. So definitely a positive for us to adopt from abroad. Good luck with it.

I applied to several UK rescues (battersea, RSPCA and a couple of others) before contacting this overseas rescue. I got an automated reply from Battersea and nothing from the others.

Adult plus teen, no restrictions on age or sex of dog, anything up to medium size.

No response from UK rescues.

Thank you!
I'm not naive about what a dog will entail though I know there is a lot to think about. I do trust this rescue, as I said a friend volunteers for them and has a couple of their dogs who are hard work but lovely (and happily live with her cats)

Yeah It's just not going to happen from a U.K. rescue. We aren't even trying, after looking online at dogs trust dogs who would be suitable and finding less than 6 across the whole U.K.!

From the overseas rescue a lovely 6 month old who is now 3 years old. Was 90% house trained when we got her. Loves walks but not destructive if its raining and has a quick dash round the block. Affectionate and playful with people she knows, cautiously friendly with strangers.

My little Spanish Senor ❤️ 🇪🇸🐶🇪🇸❤️

DDog suggesting I stop work and play with her instead...

If you are fully committed to the dogs needs & are patient & let the dog go at it’s own pace with no expectations you will be absolutely fine!

2 people I know have adopted overseas dogs & both ended up lovely, happy & adored dogs! Once they trust you, they settle. they are so appreciative of their new life!